How to make homemade ant repellent

Written by frank dioso

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While ants can actually help your yard by breaking down organic matter and aerating the soil, they can also be pests once they enter your home to look for water and food. Ants are by far, the most prevalent pests in the household. You can buy ant sprays and foggers to get rid of them, but these products can be harmful to your health, and it is a hassle to cover up your furniture and other belongings before using them. These sprays or foggers can also be expensive. However, there is an alternative, and it can be made right in your home. By using the steps below you can make your own homemade ant repellent.

Skill level:

Moderate

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Things you need

Cayenne pepper

Garlic

Spray bottle

White vinegar

Bowl

Citrus peels

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Instructions

1

Pour 2 cups of distilled white vinegar into a large bowl. Vinegar contains natural compounds that can alter the scent that ants use to communicate. Ants rely on scent trails left by other ants to guide members of the colony to food sources in your house.

2

Add 4 tbs. of cayenne pepper to the mixture. Cayenne pepper contains a potent substance called capsaicin which is an irritant to the ants.Some commercial ant repellents contain capsaicin as an ingredient.

3

Add one cup of grated grapefruit, lemon and orange peels into the mixture. The peels of these citrus fruits contain a potent chemical called limonene which naturally repels ants. Limonene is added to many commercial chemical insecticides. The peels can also enhance the effects of the other ingredients in the mixture.

4

Add two chopped garlic cloves to the mixture. Aside from its strong odour, garlic contains an active ingredient called allicin which releases potent compounds that drives away insects. The addition of garlic to the mixture will also act as a preservative and enhance the potency of the other ingredients.

5

Stir the ingredients together and carefully pour into a large spray bottle. Spray areas of the house where ants usually gather, such as kitchen corners, bathrooms, basement floors and every door step in your room. Spray this mixture around your house once every 2 days.

Tips and warnings

The strong odour of this homemade ant repellent will disappear in about 3 minutes after spraying. It is a safe solution that won't harm young children or pets.